Combined thermoelectric safety shutoff device and cock



Oct. 22, 1946. H. A. MANTZ COMBINED THERMOELECTRIC SAFETY SHUTOFF DEVICE AND COCK Filed Oct. 29, 1942 2 Sheets Sheet l v INVENTOR. Harold 6' BY ma W Oct. 22, 1946. v A -r2 2,409,947

COMBINED THERMOELECTRIOSAFETY SHUTOFF DEVICE AND COCK Filed 001:. 29, 1942 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR.

Jam 1 6% Patented Oct. 22, 1946 UNITED STATES "COMBINED THERMOELECTRIC SAFETY SHUTGFF DEVICE AND COCK Harold A. Mantz, Milwaukee, Wis., assignor to Milwaukee Gas Specialty Company, ,Milwaukee, Wis., a corporation of Wisconsin Application October 29, 1942, Serial No. 463,793

' 20 Claims. 1

This invention relates to burner control apparatus and, more particularly, to an improved form of combined thermoelectric safety shutoff device and cock. While the invention has utility in connection with hot water heaters, it is not limited to use in connection with the burners forsuch heaters, but maybe used with anyother burner or combination of burners as suitable or desired, as, for example, with the burner of a room or space heater, floor furnace, or with an oven burner, top burner, or anyother burner.

The particular device selected for illustration employs a thermoelectric safety shutoff valve connected to the armature for the electromagnet so that the valve will be held open when the armature is held in attracted position and will operate to closed position Whenthe armature is released. It is to beunderstood, however, that the invention is not limited to this particular embodiment, but maybe employed in all similar forms of -devices by way of example, in devices in which the armature controls a switch connected in circuit with a solenoid or other electroresponsive valve which is operableto open and close the fuel supply line leading to the burner.

Due to the minute character of the electromotive force that can be generated by the heat of a pilot light or other flame, or source of heat on a thermoelectric generator and the inability of this minute electromotive force to actuate the safety shutoff means to open or operating position, thermoelectric safety shutoff and control devices of the type to which this invention particularly appertains usually require reset or cooking means for resetting or cocking the armature to attracted position and the valve or other safety shutoff means to open or operating position.

Unless means is provided-for assuring that the supply of fuel to the main burner is shut off during the resetting operation and until the pilot is lighted and has heated the thermoelectric generator sufficiently to hold the safety shutoff valve in open position, fuel would pas to the main burner and escape and collect unburned. This unburned fuel would present the danger of asphyxiation and possible explosion when a flame is applied to li ht the pilot burner.

One of the main objects of the present invention is to provide an improved form of device having means which is operable to prevent resetting the armature to the position in which it is adapted to be held by the electromagnet and the valve or other controlling member controlled thereby to open or operating position when the shutoff cock is in open or operating position for the supply of fuel to the main burner.

In its more specific aspects, this means for preventing resetting of the safety shutoff device when the cock is in open or operating position for the supply of fuel for the main burner is operable to permit resetting of the safety shutoff device only when the shutoff-cock is in position for a relatively limited supply of fuel for maintaining a pilot light. H 5 Also, in the morelimited aspects of the invention, the safety shutoff device has a flow interrupter valve member for shutting ff the supply of fuel-for-the main burner during the resetting operation, and the means for preventing resetting of the device when the shutoff cock is in open or operating position for the supply of fuel for the mainburneris further operable to prevent opening of the flow interrupter valve-member until the resetting operationis completed and the shutoff-cock. is operated to position to establish a supply of fuel'for the main burner.

Anotherobject of the invention is to provide a combined thermoelectric safety shutoff device, cock and reset stop of relatively simple andinexpensive construction, and which may beinstalled and operated conveniently and effectively; also a device of this character composed of relatively few parts and adapted for convenient and expeditiousmanufacture and assembly. 7

Further objects of the invention are to provide, ina device of the class described, improvements toward the end of enclosing and sealing the electromagnet and armature, an improved form of reset member for resetting the armature to attracted position and the safety shutoff valve or controlling member to open oroperating position, and an improved form of reset stop having one part thereof on the handle for turning the shutoff cock. to its different positions and a sprin pressed latch member carried by the reset member for cooperation with the reset stop part on thehandle.

Another object of the invention is to provide in a device of the character described an improved arrangement of the parts of the device with respect to each other for accomplishing the results set forth and which will hereinafter appear.

7 Further features and advantages of the in- 45 vention willbe apparent from the following detailed-description, taken in connection with the accompanying drawings in which:

Figure 1 isasectional View through a combined thermoelectric safety shutoff device and cock em- 50 body'ing' the present invention;

Fig'ur'e'2 "is a fragmentary'top plan view; and Figure" 3 is a fragmentary detail" 'sec'ti ontaken on the line 33 of Figure 1.

Referring to the drawings, the burner" shown 55 fragmentarily at. to is any suitable or preferred main.burner by"-way of example, for a water heater, or for a room or space heater, or an oven burner, or it may be one of the main top burners of a gas range, or any other main burner or 0 combination of main burners.

' A' pipe indicated fragmentani at H supplies is a pilot burner [2 which maintains a pilot light [3 for igniting the main burner. The pilot burner i2 is supplied with fuel by a tube [4 connected to the body of the combined safety shutoff device J lead conductor 52 surrounds the inner lead conand cock, as will be hereinafter described, or in any other suitable manner.

The safety shutoff device and cook, designated in its entirety at l8, comprises a valve body having an inlet 2| and an outlet 22 which are connected in communication with contiguous sections of the fuel supply pipe II, the pipe section connected to the inlet 2| being adapted for delivering fuel from a suitable source of fuel supply and the, pipe sectionconnected to the outIetTZZ-being adapted to deliver the fuel to the burner l6;

The valve body has a Wall-or partition 24 p'rovidedwitha valve opening 25 through which the inlet is adapted to be placed in communication with the outlet. The wall or partition 24 is provided at one end of the valve opening 25 with an annular valve seat 26 for the safety shutoff valve disc 21," and at the opposite end of the valve opening 25 is an annular valve seat 28 for a-fiow interrupter valve disc 29. A pilot supply opening 36 leads out from the valve opening 25 between the valve seats 26 and 28, and is connected by the pilot supply tube M to the pilot burner l2 for supplying fuel thereto.

-The electromagnet is shown as comprising a generally U-shaped magnet frame 32 positioned within a magnet housing 33 which seals the magnet and armatur from the fuel and other matter that might act deleteriously thereon. The magnet frame 32 is secured to a terminal bushing 34, for example, in the manner more fully disclosed in th copending application of Richard K. Engholdt, Serial No. 328,923, filed April 10, 1940. The coil 35 of the electromagnet is wound around the legs of the magnet frame 32.

' 'The bushing 34, the shank of which extends through an opening in-a magnet mounting nut 36,;is shown as externally threaded for threaded engagement with a nut 31 by means of which the bushing 34 is clamped to the magnet mounting nut -36'. A gasket 38 is preferably placed between the-flanged or headed inner end-of the bushing 34 and the magnetmounting nut 36. The magnet mounting nut 36 has threaded engagement at 39 in the valve body 26, a sealing gasket 46 being preferably placed between the inner end of the nut 36 and a cooperating annular shoulder 4| on the valve body 20. The outer end of the generally cup-shaped magnet housing 33 is preferably peened over or secured to the flange or head at the inner end of the terminal bushing 34;

A thermoelectric generator shown in the form of a thermocouple 45 is placed in position so that the hot junction 46 thereof will be heated by the pilot flame l3 as long as the pilot flame is burning. The thermocouple and leads therefor may be similar to the thermocouple and leads more fully disclosed in Oscar J. Leins Patent No. 2,126,- 564, granted August 9, 1938, or the thermocouple and leads may be of any other suitable or preferred form. l

For'the purpose of the present description, sufflcef it to-state that the particular thermocouple selected for illustration comprises an outer tubular" metallic thermocouple element 48 and an inner metallic thermocouple element 49 of different thermoelectric characteristics. thermocouple element 49 is joined at one end The inner to the outer end of the outer thermocouple element 48 to form the thermojunction46 which is placed in position to be heated by the pilot flame l3. An inner lead conductor 56 is joined to the inner thermocouple element 49 to form an internal thermojunction 5|, and an outer tubular ductor and is connected to the outer thermocouple element-for instance, through a sleeve 53,to form a third'thermojunction. The inner lead conductor 50 is insulated from the outer lead conductor 52, for instance, by a wrapping of insulation 54 On the inner lead conductor.

A quick detachable or removable connection is preferably provided between the electromagnet of the safety shutoff and control device and the ends of the leads 59 and '52 opposite the ends which are connected to the thermocouple elements; This detachable lead connection may be of the form disclosed in the copending application of Richard K. Engholdt above identified, and is illustrated in that form, it being understood that this connection may be of any other suitable or preferred form. Suffice it for purposes of this description to state that the inner lead 56 has a connector cone 56 which seats in the correspondingly recessed outer end of the terminal tip 51, and is clamped in contact therewith by a connector sleeve 58. The adjacent end of the outer tubular lead conductor 52 is connected in circuit with one side of the coil 35 throughthe connector sleeve 58 and bushing 34 to which one end of the coil 35 is connected. The other end of the coil 35 is connected to the terminal tip 51, and through this tip 51 and the connector cone 56 with the inner lead conductor 50, the parts being suitably insulated as shown.

The armature so is disposed in the armature and electromagnet housing 33, and is adapted to be held in' attracted position against the pole ends of 'themagnet frame 32 as long as the electromagnet is thermoelectrically energized by the heat of the pilot or other flame on the thermoelectric generator. The armature 60 is of disc-like form and is secured to the outer end of the reciprocatory valve stem-6i. The attachment of the armature to the valve stem 6| at 62 is preferably suificiently loose, as indicated, to permit selfaccommodation of the armature to the pole ends of the magnet frame by a generally universal movement of the armature'upon the outer end of the valve stem, The stem 6l is disposed generally concentrically of the housing 33 and extends inwardly for reciprocatory movement through an opening 63 in the inner end of the housing 33. I

The safety shutoff valveor controlling member 21 is fixed, for example, by a pin 66 upon the inner end of the valve stem BI, preferably for some relative movement thereon so as to have self-accommodating seating engagement with the cooperating valve seat 26 in the valve body 20. Packing 61 of felt or other suitable'or preferred material is preferably interposed between the inner end of the housing 33'and a valve spring seating member 68.

' The valve spring 16 is in the form of a coiled compression spring interposed between the safety shutoff valve member 2'! and the extending flange of the valve spring seating member 68, and centered, if desired, as shown. The spring 76 re siliently moves the armature 60 to retracted position and the shutoff valve member 27 into seating engagement with the valve seat 26 to shut off the flow of fuel when the electromagnet is g, I. deenergized. The valve member 2'! is preferably provided with a valve gasket or yielding valve facing TI secured in place by a suitable screw I2, or in any othersuitable manner, and-adapted to engage the val-ve seat 26 when the safety shutoff valve is closed. The outer end of the magnet housing 33 fits telescopically at it in the magnet mounting nut 36.

The heat of the pilot light upon thethermocouple is sufficient to holdthe armature 69 in attracted-position and the safety shutoff valve member 2? in open position when the armature isengaged with the pole-endsof i the magnet frame 32, but thisthermoelectric current is not capable f-H10Vll1g the armature to attracted positionand the valve member 2! to open position. In order, therefore, to provide for opening the valve member 21 and forinitially setting the armature to attracted position and to resetlthe device after the same closesto shut off the fuel supply to the main burner l9 and to the pilot burner i2 whenthe pilot light is extinguished, reset means is provided. This reset means comprises a reset stem it coaxial with the shutoff valve 2"? and extending for sliding or rectilinear movementthrougha sealing member l8 threaded at eainto the valve body 23.

The reset stem I8 is guided at 82 in the sealing member 19, and the opening through which the stem extends is sealed by suitable packing 83. A packing washer is provided at 8:3, a reset spring-85 is coiled about the reset stem and interposed betweenthis packing washer and a pushbutton 86 fixed atBt' to the outer end of thereset cap 95. The inner-end of the resetstem T3 is headed at 8?.

A reset gasket 88 is held in place in the sealing member 79, for example, bypeening the member I9 over at 89; The flow interrupter disc 29, which is slidable on the reset stem I3, has rib means at 90 which cooperates with the gasket 88 when the flow interrupter disc is in the position shown in the drawings. The cooperation of the rib means st with the gaskettt tends to prevent the escape of gas or other fuel from the interior of the valve body 2i! through the reset means. A coiled flow interrupter spring 92 is interposed between the flow interrupter disc 29 and the sealing member Ill. The flow interrupter disc 29 preferably has a valve gasket or yielding facing 93 for cooperation with the valve seat 28.

l The reset cap 85: is shown of generally cupshaped form having its annular wall mounted for sliding or rectilinear movement at 96 in the valve body-2t, with the open end of the cup-shaped cap presented inwardly. The reset cap 95 is restrained against turning movement by the springpressed latch pin 9'! which extends through a longitudinal slot 98 in the wall of the reset cap. The outer end wall of the cap 95 is depressed inwardly to receive the push button '86, and the button 86, as well as the base of the leaf spring as, is secured in place to the inwardly depressed portion of the cap 95 by passing the reduced inner portion of the button through openings in the cap 95 and the adjacent portion of the spring 99 and peening over the inner end of the button as shown in the drawings.

"The cook or turn-valve I66 is shown in the form of a truncated conical plug with its conical surface seated in a corresponding conical bore I02 in the Valve body'ZI laterally of the safety shutoff and flow interrupter valve members. The plug Hill is disposed with its axis parallel to the axis of the safety shutoff valve and-reset stem.

6 The lower 'end of the bore I02 is closed by a sealing plug I03 having pressed fit or other suit- ,ablefluid-tight attachment to the valve body 29.

I tain the conical surface of the plug I-lli! resiliently and at the same'time tightlyseated in the bore I02.

A stop plate H2 is fixed on the plug I-lll! to turn the same therewith, for example, by splaying the plug at I 83 and forming the opening in the plate II-Z of corresponding contour. For-thepu-rpose of rotating the plug I90, its outer end is provided with a handle II l fixed, for example. by screws M5- to the stop plate II-2.Threa-ded into the outer end of the plug Illfl is a screw II-6, and interposed between the head of this screw and the stop plate II2 is a coiled spring II! which holds the plate I I2 resiliently seated againsttheshoulder I I3.

The handle l l l has a flange I 20 provided with a slot l2! which, when the plug Illil is positioned for a relatively limited supply of fuel for maintaining a pilot light as will presently appear, registers with the latch pin 91. Thus with the handie l I i and cook I flilin pilot position, the reset member may be pressed inwardly to reset the armature to attractedposition and the shutoff valve member to open or operating position-for supplying fuel for the main burner. If the cock IIlII is-in open or on position for the supply of fuel for the main burner, or in closed or off position, the slot I2I is out of register with the pin 91 and the flange l '20 lying in the path of inward movement of the pin 91'- prevents the resetting operation.

The valve plug I630 has an opening I22 extending diametrically therethrough. This valve openin or port I22 is adaptedto be moved by rotation of the plug into register with the inlet 2! and port I23 as shown in Figure 1 and in dotted lines at a in Figure 3 to set up the supply of fuel for the main burner and for the pilot burner; also into pilot position as shown in full lines in Figure 3 for thesupply of fuel only for the pilot burner, and into position out of register with the inlet 2| and port I23 as shown in dotted lines ath in Figure 3 to shut off the supply of fuel for both themain burner and the pilot burner. When the slot or indentation I2I is positioned as shown in Figures 1 and 2 to permit resetting operation of the reset means, the valve opening I22 through the plug I llfi is in pilot position, i. e., in position for setting up the pilot supply of fuel for the pilot burner without setting up the main supply of fuel for the main burner.

When th cock I M is in open or on position for the supply of fuel for the main burner, the slot I2I is out or register with the latch pin 91 and the flange I28 prevents resetting the device. The particular form of flange I20 shown in Figure 2 also prevents resetting the device when the cock I00 is in off position shutting off the supply of fuel for both the main burner and the pilot burner, thus preventing the resetting operation except when the cock let is in pilot position. This, of course, may be varied, for example, to the extent of permitting the resetting operation when thevalve-Illll is in full off position, as well as when in pilot position. There would be nopurpose, however, in permitting the resetting operation with the cock I99 in full off position, and there would be a disadvantage, namely, the person manipulating the device could not tell that the cock is in pilot position merely by th ability to manipulate the reset member 95 as is possible when the reset member cannot be manipulated. except when the cock I is in pilot position.

Th handle II4 may have On, Pilot, and Off markings thereon as shown in Figure 2, or other suitable markings for cooperation with the latch pin 91 or other index or point of reference to indicate when the cock I09 is in on position, as shown in Figure 1, for the supply of fuel through the opening I22 for both the main burner and the pilot burner; also when the cock is in Pilot position for the supply of fuel only for the pilot burner, and when the cock is in off position shutting off the supply of fuel for both the main burner and the pilot burner.

As shown in Figure 1, the stop plate I I2 is provided with a downwardly offset and outwardly projecting stop finger I35 extending through an arcuate slot I36 in the wall of the valve body 20, this finger I35 cooperating with the shoulders at the ends of slot I36 and providing therewith stop means preventing turning of plate H2, and with it plug valve I99, in one direction beyond off position and in the opposite direction beyond.

on position. Any other suitable stop means may be provided for limiting turning of the plug valve I99 in either direction.

The operation of the device is as follows:

When the pilot light is burning, the heat thereof on the thermojunction 46 produces a thermoelectric current in the coil 35. The magnet frame 32 and armature 69 are preferably formed of an alloy of relatively low magnetic reluctance and, as aresult, the minute or relatively weak electromotive force produces a magnetic field of sufficient strength so that when the armature 69 is placed in attracted position by pushing the reset button 95 inwardly, the magnetic attraction holds the armature in attracted position against the magnet frame with a force greater than the force exerted by the spring I0, thereby holding the shutoff valve 21 in open position as long as the pilot flame is burning.

If the pilot flame is extinguished, the holding action of the electromagnet ceases to be suflicient to hold the armature 69 in attracted position and the shutoff valve 21 in open position, and the spring I0 moves the valve 21 to closed position to shut off the supply of fuel both for the main burner I0 and for the pilot burner I2. The armature 69 moves to retracted position with the movement of the valve 21 to closed position.

v When it is desired to reset the device, the cock I99 is turned to pilot position, as shown in full lines in Figure 3, by grasping and manipulating the handle I It. This registers the slot I2I with the adjacent end of the latch pin 91 so that the reset button may be pressed inwardly to move the armature to attracted position and the shutoff valve member to open position. The pilot position of the turn-valve or cook I90 provides only a pilot supply of fuel and the closed position of the flow interrupter valve 29, during the resetting operation, prevents this fuel for the pilot burner from passing out through the valve opening 25 to the main burner.

With the handle or lever I I4 in pilot position, the push button 85 is pressed inwardly until latch pin 91 engages cam surfac I28, thus closing flow 8 interrupter valve member 29, opening safety shut off valve member 21, and positioning armatur 60 in attracted position. The latch pin 91 then latches inwardly of the shoulder I29 on the handle H4, and prevents push button 86 at the outer end of reset cap fromreturning to its original outwardly projected position.

If the pilot burner is lighted and sets up a thermoelectric current to hold the armature'in attracted'position and the shutoff valve in open position, the shutoff valve 21 will remain open. Then handle H4 may be turned to on position for the supply of fuel for both the main burner and the pilot burner, This movement of handle II4 to on position causes cam surface I28 to disengage latch pin 91 from beneath shoulder I29, thus allowing reset cap 95 to return to its initial outwardly projected position with an accompanying movement of the flow interrupter valve member 29 to open position for the flow of gaseous fuel to the main burner.

In order to turn on or shut off the supply of fuel to the main burner, with the pilot light burning and the armature held in attracted position and the shutoff valve 21 held in open position, the handle H4 is grasped and turned to rotate the valve plug I99. With th port I22 in complete register with the inlet 2| and port I23, the device is completely open for maximum supply of fuel for the main burner and for the pilot supply of fuel for the pilot burner. By rotating the plug I09 until the port I22 is completely out of register with the inlet 2I and port I23, the supply of fuel through the outlet 22, and thereby the supply of fuel for both the main burner and th pilot burner, is completely shut off. Intermediate supplies of fuel through the outlet 22, and thereby for the main burner, may be provided by intermediate amounts of registration of the port I22 with the inlet 2| and port I23.

From the foregoing it will now be apparent that the safety shutoff valve member 21 cannot be reset or opened unless the handle II4 and cock I60 are in pilot position. Moreover, the flow interrupter valve member 29 will not open following the resetting operation until the handle H4 and cook I09 are moved to on position for the supply of sufficient fuel for both the main burner and the pilot burner. If the handle I I4 and cock I09 are returned to pilot position with both the safety shutoff valve member 21 and flow interrupter valve member 29 open, the pilot supply of gas will b insufficient to supply both the main burner and the pilot burner. As a result the pilot light will be extinguished and th safety shutoff valve will close and shut off the fuel supply for both the main burner and the pilot burner,

The embodiment of the invention shown in the drawings is for illustrative purposes, and it is to be expressly understood that said drawings and the accompanying specification are not to be construed as a definition of the limits or scope of the invention, reference being had to the appended claims for that purpose.

I claim:

1. In combination a fluid supply conduit, a valve for controlling the supply of fluid through said conduit, a movable armature operable to control said valve, an electromagnet for said armature, means for resetting said armature with respect to said electromagnet, flow interrupter means operable to closed position to shut off the supply of fluid through said conduit during the resetting operation and to open position, a controlling member having a closed position shutting off flow of fluid throughsaid conduit and a partially openposition providingrestricted flow of fluid through said conduit and a plurality of positions between-said partially open position and full open position and cooperating means on the resetting means and controlling member and operable to hold said flow interrupter means in closed position =following resettingof the armature and until said controlling member is moved from its partially open position a predetermined extent in opening direction.

2. In combination a fluid supply conduit, a valve for controlling the supply of fluid through said conduit, a movable armature operable to control said valve, an electromagnet for said armature, means for resetting said armature with respect to said electromagnet, flow interrupter means operable to closed position to shut off the supply of fluid through said conduit during the resetting operation and to open position, a controlling membe having a closed position shutting oii flow of fluid through said conduit and a partially open position providing restricted flow of fluid through said conduit and a plurality of positions between said partially open position and full openposition, and cooperating means on the resetting means and controlling member and operable to hold said flow interrupter means in closed position following resetting of the armature and until said controlling member is moved from its partially open position a predetermined extent in opening direction and for preventing resetting said armature except when said controlling member is in said partially open position.

3. In combination a fluid supply conduit, a valve for controlling the supply of fluid through said conduit, a movable armature operable to control said valve, an electromagnet for said armature, means for resetting said armature with respect to said electromagnet, flow interrupter means operable to closed position to shut off the supply of fluid through said conduit during the resetting operationand to open position, a controlling member having on, off and pilo positions respectively providing full flowof fluid throughtsaid conduit, shutting off flow of fluid through said conduit, and providing restricted now of fluid'through said conduit, and cooperating means on the resetting means and controlling member and operable'to hold said flow interrupter meansin closed position following resetting of the armature and until said? controlling member is moved 'outof pilot positiontoward on position.

.4; In combination a fluid supply conduit, a

valve for controlling the supply of fluid through said conduit, a movable armature operable to control said valve, an electromagnet for said armature, means for resetting said armature with respect to said electromagnet, flow'interrupter means operable to closed position to shut OK the supply-of fluidithrough saidconduit during the resetting operation and toopen position, a controlling member having on, OE and pilot positions respectively providing full flow of fluid through said conduit,xshutting off flow of fluid throug hns-aid conduit, and providing restricted flowrof fluid-through said conduit, and cooperating ine'ans on the'resetting means and controlling member and operable to hold said flow interrupter l means in closed position following resetting of the armature and until said controlling member is inoved out-of pilot position toward on position and for preventing-resetting said armature main burner outlet during the resetting opera- 10 except whensaidcontrollingmember is in fpilot position. i i

- 5. Incom-bination, valve means forcontrolling a-suppl y of fuel, a movablearmature operable to control saidvalve means, an electromagnet for said armature, means for resetting said armature with respect to said-electromagnet, flow interrup'ter meansoperable to shut off the supply of fuelduring'the resetting operation, a controlling member having a plurality of different positions, meansiorpfeve'n'ti'ng resettingsa'id armature except when said controlling member is in a predetermined on of its position, and cooperating means on theresetting means and controlling memberand operable to hold said flow interrupter means in shut-oii position following resetting of the; armature and until said controlling memher is moved out of said predetermined position.

6. In a burner control device of the class described, a valve body having a main burner outlet and a pilot outletanterior to said main burner outlet, and a generally conical bore, a generally conical valve plug seated in said bore, said .valve body having an inlet passage openinginto saidbor-e and an outlet passage leading from said bore and in. communication with said main burner outlet and said pilot burner outlet, a port opening through said valve plug and. adapted for partial registration with said inlet and outlet passages for supplying fuel in sufficient amount only f or the pilot burner outlet and for more complete registration with saidinlet and outlet passages for supplying fuel in sufficient amount for the main burner outlet and for the pilot burner outlet, a thermoelectricsafety shutoff valve, in series with said valve plug, reset meanslior resetting said thermoelectric safety shutoif valve, a flow interrupter valve posterior to said pilot outlet for shutting off theflow of fuel for the tion,*and cooperating means between saidreset means' and said valve plug for preventing the resetting operation'of said reset means eXceptdn ,apredetermined positionof said valve plug.-

7 Ina burner control device of the class described, a valve body having a main burner outlet and a pilot outlet anteriorto said :mai'n burner outlet, and 'a generally conical bore, agenerallyfconica'l valveplug seated in said bore; said valve body having, an inlet passage openinginto saidzbore and an outlet passage leading from said bore and in communication withrsaidmain burner outlet and pilot burner outlet, a i port opening through said valve plug and adapted for partial registration with said inletland outlet passages for supplying fuel in sufficient amount only for the pilot burner outlet and for more complete registration with said inlet and outlet passages for supplying fuel in sufiicient amount for the main burner outlet and for the pilot burner outlet, a thermoelectric safety shutoff valve in series with said valve "plug, reset means for resetting said thermoelectric safety scribed, a valve body having a mainburner outlet and a pilotoutljet anterior t'osaidmain burner outlet, andgenerally conical bore, a generally conical valve plug seated in said bore, a

handle for turning said plug, said valve body having an inlet passage opening into said bore and an outlet passage leading from said bore and in communication with said main burner outlet and said pilot burner outlet, a port opening I through said valve plug and adapted for partial registration with said inlet and outlet passages for supplying fuel in sufficient amount only for the pilot burner outlet and for more complete registration with said inlet and outlet passages for supplying fuel in sufiicient amount for the main burner outlet and for the pilot burner outlet, a thermoelectric safety shutoff valve in series with said valve plug, reset means for resetting said thermoelectric safety shutoff valve, a flow interrupter valve for shutting off the flow of fuel for the main burner outlet during the resetting operation, said reset means comprising a reset member mounted for rectilinear sliding movement on said valve body, and a springpressed latch pin carried by said reset member and cooperable with a, slotted flange on said handle.

9. In a burner control device of the class described, a valve body having a main burner outlet and a pilot outlet anterior to said main burner outlet, and a generally conical bore, a generally conical valve plug seated in said bore, a handle for turning said plug, said valve body having an inlet passage opening into said bore and an outlet passage leading from said bore and in communication with said main burner outlet and said pilot burner outlet, a port opening through said valve plug and adapted for partial registration with aid inlet and outlet passages for supplying fuel in suflicient amount only for the pilot burner outlet and for more complete registration with said inlet and out- -let passages for supplying fuel in sufiicient amount for the main burner outlet and for the pilot burner outlet, a thermoelectric safety shutofi valve in series with said valve plug, reset means for resetting said thermoelectric safety shutoff valve, a now interrupter valve for shutting off the flow of fuel to the main burner outlet during the resetting operation, said reset means comprising a reset member mounted for rectilinear sliding movement on said valve body, a spring-pressed latch pin carried by said reset member, and a'slotted flange on said handle for preventing operation of said reset means except when the slot in aid flange is in register with said latch pin.

10. In a burner control device of the class described,'a valve body having a main burner outlet and' a pilot outlet anterior to said main burner outlet, and a generally conical bore, a generally conical valve plug seated in said bore, a handle for turning said plug, said valve body having an inlet passage opening into said, bore and anoutlet passage leading from said bore and in communication with said main burner of fuel for the main burner outlet during the resetting operation, said reset means comprising a, reset member mounted for rectilinearsliding movement on said valve body, a spring-pressed latch pin carried by said reset member, a slotted flange on said handle for preventing operation of said reset means except when the slot in said flange is in register with said latch pin, and means on said handle for disengaging the latch pin from said flange by turning movement of said handle.

11. In a burner control device having a main burner outlet, thermoelectric safety shutoff means, a valve cock for turning movement to positions for supplying fuel for the main burner outlet and for shutting off the supply of fuel for the main burner outlet, reset means for resetting said thermoelectric safety shutoff means, latch means carried by said reset means, means carried by said valve cock for turning movement therewith and lying in the path of movement of said latch means to prevent resetting movement of said reset means when said valve cock is in position for supplying fuel for the main burner outlet, said latch means being freed of said last means to permit resetting movement of said reset means when said valve cock is in position shutting off the supply of fuel for the main burner outlet, and means for actuating said latch means 'to position for preventing return of said reset means to its original position until said valve cock is moved to position for the supply of fuel for the main burner outlet.

12. In combination, a valve cock mounted for turning movement, a reset member mounted for rectilinear movement, a spring-pressed latch pin carried by said reset member, a handle for said valve cock, and a flange on said handle and cooperable with said latch pin to prevent resetting movement of said reset means, said flange having a slot through which said latch pin is adapted to pass for resetting movement of said reset means when said valve cock is in a predetermined position.

13. In combination, a valve cock mounted for turning movement, a reset member mounted for rectilinear movement, a latch pin carried by said reset member, a handle for said valve cook, a

flange on said handle and cooperable with said latch pin to prevent resetting'movement ofsaid reset means, said flange having a slot through which said latch pin is adapted to pass for resetting movement of said reset means when said valve cock is in a predetermined position, and a spring for pressing said latch pin into engagement with a shoulder on said handle at the inner end of the resetting movement of said reset member to latch said reset member against return to its original position until said valve cock is moved out of said predetermined position.

14. In combination, a valve cock mounted for turning movement, a reset member mounted for rectilinear movement, a latch pin carried by said reset member, a handle for said valve cook, a flange on said handle'and cooperable with said latch pin to prevent resetting movement of said reset means, said flange having a'slot through valve cock is in a predetermined position, a spring for pressing said latch pin into engagement with a shoulder on said handle at the inner end of the resetting movement of said reset member to latch said, fiset member against return to its original which said latch pin is adapted to pass for resetting movement of said reset means when said position until said valve cock is moved out of said predetermined position, and means on said handle for disengaging the latch pin from said shoulder by turning movement of said handle from said predetermined position.

15. In control means of the character described, a valve body having an inlet and a main burner outlet, with an opening therebetween and a pilot burner outlet communicating with said opening between the inlet end and the outlet end thereof, a safety shutoff valve controlling the inlet end of said opening yieldingly urged in closing direction, electromagnetic means effective when energized for holding said valve in open position, means for resetting said valve to open position comprising a flow interrupter valve yieldingly urged in opening direction and effective for closing the outlet end of said opening during the resetting operation, a main valve controlling said inlet having a partially open position providing restricted flow of fuel and an open position providing increased flow of fuel, and means whereby said resetting means is disabled when said main valve is opened to a greater extent than its said partially open position and is enabled in said partially open position of said main valve.

16. In control means of the character described, a valve body having an inlet and a main burner outlet, said body also having an opening between said inlet and outlet with a supplementary pilot outlet between its inlet end and outlet end, electromagnetic safety shutoff means comprising a safety shutoff valve having a closed position closing the inlet end of said opening and electromagnetic means effective when energized for holding said valve in open position, means for resetting said valve to open position comprising a flow interrupter valve normally held in open position and movable therefrom to a closed position closing the outlet end of said opening in the resetting operation, a main valve controlling said inlet having a partially open position providing restricted flow of fuel in amount sufficient for the pilot burner outlet and movable therefrom in opening direction for providing increased flow of fuel, means whereby said resetting means is disabled when said main valve is opened to a greater extent than its said partially open position and is enabled in the latter position of said main valve, and means for retaining said flow interrupter valve in its closed position until said main valve has been moved to a predetermined extent in opening direction from its said partially closed position.

1'7. In control means of the character described, a valve body having an inlet and a main burner outlet, said body also having an opening between said inlet and outlet with a supplementary pilot outlet between its inlet end and outlet end, electromagnetic safety shutoff means comprising a safety shutoff valve having a closed position closing the inlet end of said opening and electromagnetic means effective when energized for holding said valve in open position, means for resetting said valve to open position comprising a flow interrupter valve normally held in open position and movable therefrom to a closed position closing the outlet end of said opening in the resetting operation, a main valve controlling said inlet having a closed position shutting off flow of fuel and a partially open position providing restricted flow of fuel in amount sumcient for the pilot burner outlet and a full open position providing fuel in amount sufiicient for the pilot burner outlet and for full operation of the main burner outlet, means whereby said resetting means is disabled when said main valve is in any of its positions other than its said partially open position and is enabled in the latter position of said main valve, and means for retaining said flow interrupter valve in its closed position until said main valve has been moved to its full open position.

18. In a burner control device having a main outlet and a pilot outlet anterior to said main outlet, a shutofi valve on the anterior side of said main outlet and said pilot outlet and having an on position for the supply of fuel for the main outlet and the pilot outlet, a pilot position permitting the supply of fuel in sufficient amount for the pilot outlet only, and an off position shutting ofi the supply of fuel for both the main outlet and the pilot outlet, safety shutoff valve, means for operating said first mentioned shutoff valve, reset means for resetting said safety shutoff valve, means for preventing resetting operation of said reset means except when said first mentioned shutoff valve is in pilot position, and a flow interrupter valve for shutting off the flow of fuel for the main outlet during the resetting operation, said first-mentioned shutoff valve being positioned ahead of said safety shutoff valve and said pilot outlet.

19. In a burner control device having a main outlet and a pilot outlet anterior to said main outlet, a shutoff valve having an on position for the supply of fuel for the main outlet and the pilot outlet, a pilot position permitting the supply of fuel in sufficient amount for the pilot outlet only, and an off position shutting off the supply of fuel for both the main outlet and the pilot outlet, safety shutoff means, means for operating said first mentioned shutoff valve, reset means for resetting said safety shutoff means independently of the operating means for said first-mentioned shutoff valve when said valve is in pilot position, means for preventing the resetting operation of said reset means when said first mentioned shutoff valve is in on position, said firstmentioned shutoff valve being positioned ahead of said safety shutoff means and said pilot outlet, and a flow interrupter valve for shutting off the flow of fuel for the main outlet during the resetting operation.

20. In a burner control device having a main outlet and a pilot outlet anterior to said main outlet, a shutoff valve having an on position for the supply of fuel for the main outlet and the pilot outlet, a pilot position permitting the supply of fuel in sufficient amount for the pilot outlet only, and an off position shutting off the supply of fuel for both the main outlet and the pilot outlet, safety shutoff means, means for operating said first-mentioned shutoff valve, reset means for resetting said thermoelectric safety shutoff means independently of the operating means for said first mentioned shutoff valve when said valve is in pilot position, means for preventing the resetting operation of said reset means when said first-mentioned valve is in on position and also when said first mentioned shutoff valve is in off position, said first-mentioned shutoff valve being positioned ahead of said safety shutoff means and said pilot outlet, and a flow interrupter valve for shutting off the flow of fuel for the main outlet during the resetting operation.

HAROLD A. MANTZ. 

